In This Issue
Grange win again at GIMA Golf Day
Sharp shooting and sixes at GIMA Cricket and Laser Clay Shooting event
Bunnings Warehouse opens new store in Hemel Hempstead - making it three in the UK so far
Bunnings says roll-out will pivot on how well pilot stores perform
Total sales volumes up for first time since Easter
GCA announces dates and venues for regional award meetings
Notcutts Wheatcroft unveils spectacular Display Garden
Weber invests in seven-figure TV advertising campaign
Westland winner donates part of his prize to grandchildren’s school
Houseplants for 2018 have been announced
Development plans for East Durahm GC approved
Bents new signs aim to make bathroom access easier for customers with 'invisible illnesses'
Mercers to open third Hillmount garden centre in former church
Westland report profits of £2.9m
GIMA praises Perennial’s ‘Play the Pitch’ football fundraiser
East Sussex garden and nursery sold to private buyer
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Comedian Hal Cruttenden to host GIMA Awards
Feed, weed and support products selling well
Tomato plant sales are thriving
Boost for organic growing media products
Summer bedding dominates plant sales
Bord na Mona's Pro 5 peat composts beat sales target
John Lewis and Waitrose report strong garden and outdoor leisure sales
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
HTA Catering Conference 2017 starts on Tuesday... last chance to book your place!
Simplicity is the key at Rosebourne Garden Centre
Make your marketing engaging for everyone
Delivering an in-store offer
Peter Avis shares a passion for customer service
Conference Dinner and The Greatest Catering Awards
Having a 'freefrom' approach works wonders
Book your place at the HTA Catering Conference now
Send us your news and great ideas

Contact us with your news. 

Email neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk, or trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 01733 775700


GCA announces dates and venues for regional award meetings


Garden Centre Association members will find out who has come out on top in its annual inspections this year at regional award meetings taking place next month.

Garden centres are encouraged to attend the event in their area and to bring as many of their team members along as possible.

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, said: “Our annual inspections are drawing to a close and early feedback is looking positive, but if members want more information on how they fared they will need to go along to their nearest area awards meeting.

“During each meeting the inspector for that particular area will present their findings from the area, highlighting best practice and new ideas, and will announce all the category winners.”

The Wales & West region award meeting will take place at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre near Taunton, Somerset on Thursday, July 13 and the inspector attending is Andy Campbell.

Roger Crookes will be presiding over the North West/North East regional meeting on Wednesday, July 19 at a venue still to be confirmed.

The Midlands region will meet at Planters, Tamworth on Tuesday, July 25 with inspector Alyson Haywood, while the South Thames region will meet with Michael Cole at Castle Gardens in Sherborne, Dorset on Wednesday, July 26.

On Thursday, July 27, Gordon Emslie will present his findings at the North Thames meeting at Ayletts in Hertfordshire.

The Scotland and Northern Ireland area awards meeting will follow later in the year on September 7 at Klondyke Mayfield with inspector Gordon Emslie.

Iain added: “Our round of annual inspections started in March. Many GCA members have said that the unique annual inspections and constructive feedback sessions are one of the biggest benefits of membership. It is a fantastic motivational and management tool and really keeps staff on their toes, making sure they are always doing their absolute best.

“Garden centres receive no advance warning about when their inspection will take place and they do not have the option to turn away the inspector. It is all about making sure they are offering a consistently excellent service and improving their customer service standards, which is what all GCA garden centres must do to remain members.

“The results of the inspections form the basis for many GCA awards, including Destination Garden Centre of the Year, Garden Centre of the Year, Area Winners, Highly Commended and Most Improved Garden Centre. The top 10 centres will receive a Garden Centre of Excellence Award and all centres scoring 75% or above receive the Highly Commended certificate.”

Pictured: GCA inspectors, from left to right, Roger Crookes, Alyson Haywood and Andy Campbell will reveal their findings next month.


Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Del.icio.us Digg